How the Moon Influences My Sessions
Ever wonder why I facilitate a different yoga style each week?
The answer is simple, because of the moon.
I remember as a child sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to find a big, bright moon shining its light through my bedroom window. I’d stay up to marvel in its beauty and sit under its moonlight. I’ve always felt a connection with the moon. Showing its love by surprising me on evenings and even making some appearances during the day. And on the nights I couldn’t see the moon whether it was overcast or just hiding, I always knew it was there. So over the years as I’ve learned more about the power of the moon, it makes sense that it would also influence my work.
More than just a pretty face, our moon has an energetic influence on us here on earth. Its gravitation pull influences our tides (and water in all living beings), its light supports animals through migration and navigation, and with each phase effects our energy level.
Take a look at the phases of the moon this month (image on right). Yesterday, we had our first New Moon of the year. This is a time in which we can’t actually see the moon because it’s positioned directly between the earth and sun leaving the side of the moon we normally enjoy in darkness. At 0% light, this is a time for rest, reflection, and for setting new intentions. As a New Moon approaches, we may experience drops in our energy levels.
With each day that passes, light and energy begin to build. Almost a week later, the moon is 50% full at the First Quarter and at about two weeks later, the moon is back at its full 100%. This is a great time for being more social, when things may be revealed, and when emotions may run high as they say in the light of a full moon. Once at its peak, light slowly begins to decrease from right to left as we move to the Last Quarter and finally return back to a New Moon, marking the beginning of a new cycle.
Source: Daily Roabox
So how does this all tie into yoga? Wanting to honour the influence of the lunar cycle on our bodies and my body as a facilitator, back in March 2021, I designated three yoga session styles that fall on the weeks of the New Moon, Full Moon, and transition between those key phases.
During any given month, the week that a New Moon falls I schedule Restorative Yoga and Silent Meditation instead of weekly Guided Mediation for this quieter period. When energy is more abundant on a week of a full moon, Power Yoga is offered as an upbeat Vinyasa session. And when the light of the moon is increasing or decreasing, Soul Yoga is offered as a hybrid, abstract session of Vinaysa flow, Yin yoga, and embodied practices to support this transitional time. Some months may vary slightly but in most cases simply look to the night sky to know what style of yoga I will be facilitating for the week or to make it easier, check out my schedule.
YOGA SESSIONS BY WEEK
NEW MOON
RESTORE
Rest
FIRST QUARTER
SOUL
Transition
FULL MOON
POWER
Energy
LAST QUARTER
SOUL
Transition
